[Reactions of dairy calves exposed to transport stress at 60 days of age. Effects of various rearing conditions in the developmental quality of calves on physiological variables and their changes].

Dairy calves reared in groups of constant (Gk, N = 16, m 8, w 8) and changing composition (Gw, N = 16, m 8, w 8) and single box reared calves (E, N = 15, m 8, w 7) were exposed to transport stress lasting around 60 minutes at 60 days of age. Long term measurements of heart rate (HF) were combined with blood sampling (V. jugularis) before and immediately after transport and at the following day as well. Mean differences of HF, Hb, Hk, lactate and blood urea between groups were found at all sampling points. After transport mean values of HF, MetHb, pO2, O2SAT and O2CONT were increased in all calves and such of HHb were decreased. Measures of acid-base balance and lactate changed differently in calves of the three rearing groups concerning direction and degree. Changing of the variables after transport comparing the starting values was different between rearing groups in 16 out of 25 possible cases. Changing of variables immediately after transport showed strong negative correlations with starting values in case of pH, HCO3, base excess, COHb, total protein, albumin, lactate, glucose and Ca in all groups, in all other cases not in all groups. Strong correlations between sampling points of Hb, Hk, MCHC, O2CONT, O2CAP, creatinine, blood urea and of the minerals indicate a high individual specificity of these measures. Results proof variation components of physiological variables in calves caused by husbandry conditions and their effects on reactions of animals in case of transport stress.